Credit: Ai (Credit: Ai)
Regional News: The ninth day of Navratri is dedicated to Maa Mahagauri, known for purity and blessings. Devotees believe she brings peace, love, and prosperity. Celebrations include prayers, bhog, and fasting. As per Drik Panchang, Ashtami falls on September 30, Tuesday, while Navami will be on October 1, Wednesday. Sandhi Puja will be performed during the evening hours on Ashtami. Devotees believe that both Ashtami and Navami hold great spiritual importance, as Maa Durga’s power is celebrated in her different forms.
On these days, temples across the country see large gatherings of devotees offering prayers. Families keep fasts, light lamps, and prepare special prasad in honor of the goddess. The correct timing is considered very important for performing rituals without any dosh.
Sandhi Puja will be observed from 5:42 PM to 6:30 PM. Devotees prepare their homes, clean the worship area, and offer flowers, bhog, and prayers to Maa Mahagauri. This special puja is said to mark the moment when Ashtami ends and Navami begins, making it highly auspicious. Many devotees also perform havan and chant mantras during this period. Priests in temples recite Durga Saptashati to spread positive energy. The ritual is seen as the perfect time to connect with divine blessings and inner peace.
Pink is chosen as the colour of the ninth day. It symbolizes love, harmony, and universal kindness. Devotees wear pink clothes and use pink flowers during puja rituals. Pink is also seen as a colour that spreads calmness and compassion among people. Markets get filled with pink-colored chunris, bangles, and decorative items for devotees. Women especially like to wear pink sarees or suits during this day. The atmosphere turns vibrant and full of positive vibes. Families decorate their houses with pink rangolis to welcome Maa Mahagauri.
The goddess is offered poori, chana, and halwa made of semolina. Later, this bhog is distributed among little girls, who are considered divine forms of goddess Durga herself. Along with this, some devotees also offer fruits, sweets, and coconut to the goddess. The bhog is prepared with complete devotion and purity. After offering, the food is first placed before the goddess and then shared as prasad. People believe that feeding others with this bhog brings prosperity and happiness to the household. This ritual strengthens the bond of faith and service in society.
Kanya Pujan is a major ritual on this day. Families invite young girls, wash their feet, serve them food, and offer gifts. This is believed to bring divine blessings. Many people also offer clothes, bangles, and small purses as a token of respect. The little girls are treated as living forms of Maa Durga and are seated with full honor. Communities organize large gatherings where hundreds of girls are invited for Kanya Bhoj. The ritual is seen as a way of celebrating purity, innocence, and power of the feminine form.
Devotees chant “Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah” and other stotras throughout the day. Aarti and prayers are performed to seek blessings for peace, happiness, and the removal of obstacles. Priests encourage devotees to recite Mahagauri stuti and stotra in the morning and evening. These mantras are said to protect the devotees from sorrow and fear. In many homes, women sing devotional bhajans with dholak and manjira to spread spiritual energy. The sound of bells, conch shells, and chanting fills the surroundings with positivity.
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